Desk accessory with photo display

ABSTRACT

A desk accessory serves a dual purpose, such as holding one or more articles while also displaying a photo or other printed image on a strip substrate. For instance, the desk accessory may be structured to hold a clock, writing implements (pens, pencils, etc.), paper clips, a notepad or a beverage. The accessory device includes a main body with an outer shell, with at least a portion of the outer shell being formed of a transparent material. A slot opening in the main body is sized and configured for receipt of the elongate strip substrate therethrough. An interior channel communicating with the open slot extends behind the outer shell. Track members extending along opposite sides of the channel guide the strip substrate through the channel and hold the strip substrate in fixed position relative to the outer shell so that a front face of the strip substrate is visibly exposed through the transparent portion, thereby displaying a photograph or other image printed on the front face of the strip substrate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to articles which display a photograph orother printed image on a flexible sheet substrate and, moreparticularly, to a desk accessory which serves the dual purpose ofholding one or more articles and displaying a photograph or otherprinted image on a strip substrate which is received through a slotopening on the desk accessory item for visible positioning behind atransparent shell or cover.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Most people who work at a desk require a number of different accessoriesin order to be functional in their daily routine. Items such as clocks,pencil cups, business card holders, paper clip trays, tape dispensersand notepad holders can be found on most desks in the workplace, in alltypes of businesses and professions. Accessory items of this type areoften provided as a set so that all of the items match in style, colorand appearance. However, these desk accessory items are made accordingto a manufacturer's standard and are not adapted to be personalized tosuit an individual's personal taste or preference. To express theirindividuality and to feel more comfortable at their desk, many peoplelike to display photos of loved ones, favorite places or prizedpossessions. Photo frames that stand upright on a desk surface andsupport a photograph behind a transparent glass or plastic panel are acommon item of display on a desk or credenza. However, picture framesoccupy a great deal of space and serve the single purpose of displayingthe photograph.

Some items, such as clocks, are popular for use as promotional gifts forvalued customers of a business. Many companies will send promotionalgifts to existing customers as a sign of appreciation or to potentialcustomers to attract new business. The need to customize the promotionalproduct by displaying the company logo and other information, such as awebsite or phone number, is essential to fulfill the promotionalpurpose. This may be achieved by printing the company logo and otherdesired information on a sheet substrate and then applying the sheetsubstrate to the promotional item.

As noted above, there is a definite demand for the ability to customizevarious products to suit an individual customer's needs and desires.Presently, the field of desk accessory products provides a very limitedability for the customer to personalize the appearance, such as bydisplaying a photo, company logo, artistic design or other graphics.

Considering the foregoing, there remains an urgent need in the field ofdesk accessories for a means to allow the customer to personalize theaccessory item. More particularly, there remains a need for deskaccessory items, such as, but not limited to, clocks, pencil cups, paperclip holders and beverage cups, which are adapted for insertion of astrip substrate so that a select image printed on the substrate isvisibly exposed through a transparent shell of the accessory item.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a deskaccessory device which is adapted for receipt of a strip substratethrough an open slot and wherein a photograph or other image printed ona front face of the strip substrate is visibly exposed through atransparent shell or cover of the device.

It is further object of the present invention to provide a deskaccessory device which serves the dual purpose of holding one or morearticles (e.g. a clock, writing implements, paper clips, paper, abeverage, etc.) while also displaying a photograph or other printedimage on a strip substrate, and wherein the strip substrate is insertedthrough a slot opening of the accessory device for positioning thephotograph or image behind a transparent shell or cover of the device.

It is further object of the present invention to provide a deskaccessory device which can be personalized to suit the individual user,wherein a photograph or other image is inserted within the accessorydevice for visible exposure through an exterior transparent shell of thehousing of the device.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a deskaccessory device which is readily adapted for use as a promotional giftitem, wherein a business logo and other indicia are presented on aflexible strip substrate and visibly exposed through an outertransparent shell housing of the accessory device.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a deskaccessory device which is readily adapted to be personalized by theindividual user by inserting a paper strip substrate through an openslot to visibly expose a photograph or other image on the stripsubstrate through a transparent housing of the device, and wherein thephotograph or image can be easily changed by the user.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are morereadily apparent with reference to the following detailed descriptionand accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a desk accessory item which servesa dual purpose, such as holding one or more articles while alsodisplaying a photo or other printed image on a strip substrate. Forinstance, the desk accessory may be structured to hold a clock, writingimplements (pens, pencils, etc.), paper clips, a notepad or a beverage.

In the same device, a photo or image is visibly displayed through thetransparent outer wall structure. The accessory device includes a mainbody with an outer shell. At least a portion of the outer shell isformed of a transparent material. A slot opening in the main body issized and configured for receipt of the elongate strip substratetherethrough. An interior channel communicating with the open slotextends behind the outer shell. Track members extending along oppositesides of the channel guide the strip substrate through the channel andhold the strip substrate in fixed position relative to the outer shellso that a front face of the strip substrate is visibly exposed throughthe transparent portion, thereby displaying the photograph or otherimage printed on the front face of the strip substrate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention,reference should be made to the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the desk accessory device of thepresent invention, in accordance with one preferred embodiment in theform of a clock, showing an elongate strip substrate being insertedthrough a slot opening of the accessory device for travel about aninterior channel so that an image on the front face of the stripsubstrate is visibly exposed through the transparent shell of thedevice;

FIG. 2 is an exploded side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 1showing the outer transparent shell of the accessory device removed froma remainder of the main body;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the accessory device, showing asecond embodiment in the form of a digital clock; and

FIG. 4 is a front, top perspective view of the accessory device, showinga third embodiment of the invention in the form of a pencil cup forholding writing implements.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several viewsof the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the several views of the drawings, and initially FIGS. 1and 2, the desk accessory device is shown and is generally indicated as10. In each of the embodiments, the desk accessory device includes amain body 12 with an outer shell 14. The outer shell 14 may be formedentirely of a transparent material, such as a clear plastic composition.Alternatively, only a portion of the outer shell may be transparent.

In each of the embodiments shown, the main body 12 is formed, structuredand configured to hold one or more items. For instance, in theembodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the main body holds a mechanical orelectromechanical clock 100 that has hands which move about a clock faceto indicate time. The clock face and hands are visible through thetransparent outer shell 14. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the main bodyholds a digital clock 110 which displays the time on an LED or likedisplay panel. The time is visible through the transparent outer shell14. A further example is shown in FIG. 4, wherein the main body 12 isformed as a pencil cup for holding writing implements 120 such as pens,pencils, markers, scissors and the like.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 the main body of the device is provided with aslot opening 20. In a preferred embodiment, the slot opening 20 isformed through the outer shell 14. The slot opening 20 communicates withan interior channel 22 which extends at least partially about the mainbody, generally following the exterior configuration. The slot opening20 and channel 22 are specifically sized, structured and disposed forreceipt and sliding passage of an elongate strip substrate 30therethrough as illustrated in FIG. 1. In a preferred embodiment, theinterior channel is formed about the housing 16 of the device, withinthe outer transparent shell 14. Opposing track members 26, 28 onopposite sides of the channel receive the opposite longitudinal edges34, 36 of the elongate strip substrate 30 and guide the strip substratethrough the channel and about any curved sections or radiused corners.The track members and interior channel are structured and configured tohold the strip substrate 30 in operative position, once fully insertedthrough the slot opening and below the outer shell so that a printedimage 38 on the front face 32 of the strip substrate appears through thetransparent outer shell as seen in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4. The printed image38 may be any custom designed image, such as an artistic design,graphics, company logo or the like. Alternatively, the image may be aphotograph or photocopy image. In one preferred embodiment, thephotograph can be a panoramic view, such as a landscape scene, whichappears about the exterior of the device, through the transparent shell.The strip substrate 30 may be removed and replaced with a new stripsubstrate to change the image. The strip substrate 30 is flexible and,in a preferred embodiment, is of a paper composition.

It is noted that while only a few examples of desk accessory devices areshown in the drawings, for demonstration purposes only, a wide varietyof desk accessories are contemplated within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention including, but not limited to, beverage cups, paperclip holders, ash trays, note pad holders, business card holders andlamps.

While the instant invention has been shown and described in accordancewith a preferred and practical embodiment thereof, it is recognized thatdepartures from the instant disclosure are contemplated within thespirit and scope of the present invention.

1. A desk accessory device comprising: a main body with an outer shell,and at least a portion of said outer shell being transparent; said mainbody being structured and disposed to hold at least one of a firstarticle; an elongate strip substrate having a front face with an imageappearing thereon; an exterior slot opening on said main bodycommunicating with an interior channel extending behind said outershell, and said slot opening and said channel being sized, structuredand configured for sliding receipt of said elongate strip substratetherethrough; and opposing track members extending along opposite sidesof said channel for guiding said strip substrate through said channeland for positioning said front face of said strip substrate behind saidtransparent portion of said outer shell so that said image is visiblyexposed through said transparent portion.
 2. The desk accessory deviceas recited in claim 1 wherein said interior channel and said opposingtrack members conform to an exterior configuration of said outer shell.3. The desk accessory device as recited in claim 2 wherein said interiorchannel and said opposing track members are curve linear.
 4. The deskaccessory device as recited in claim 3 wherein said elongate stripsubstrate is flexible.
 5. The desk accessory device as recited in claim4 wherein said elongate strip substrate is paper.
 6. The desk accessorydevice as recited in claim 1 wherein said first article is a clock. 7.The desk accessory device as recited in claim 1 wherein said firstarticle is a writing implement.
 8. The desk accessory device as recitedin claim 1 wherein said first article is a paper clip.
 9. The deskaccessory device as recited in claim 1 wherein said first article ispaper.
 10. The desk accessory device as recited in claim 1 wherein saidfirst article is a liquid.
 11. A desk accessory device comprising: amain body with an outer shell, and at least a portion of said outershell being transparent; said main body being structured and disposed tohold at least one of a first article; an exterior slot opening on saidmain body communicating with an interior channel extending behind saidouter shell, and said slot opening and said channel being sized,structured and configured for sliding receipt of an elongate stripsubstrate therethrough; and opposing track members extending alongopposite sides of said channel for guiding the strip substrate throughsaid channel and for positioning a front face of the strip substratebehind said transparent portion of the outer shell so that the frontface is visibly exposed through said transparent portion.
 12. The deskaccessory device as recited in claim 11 wherein said interior channeland said opposing track members are straight.
 13. The desk accessorydevice as recited in claim 11 wherein said interior channel and saidopposing track members are curve linear.
 14. The desk accessory deviceas recited in claim 13 wherein said interior channel and said opposingtrack members are formed and configured to conform with an outerconfiguration of said outer shell.
 15. The desk accessory device asrecited in claim 11 wherein said outer shell is formed entirely of atransparent material.
 16. The desk accessory device as recited in claim11 wherein said transparent portion of said outer shell is structuredand disposed for visibly exposing an image on the front face of thestrip substrate, so that the image is viewable from an exterior of saidouter shell when said strip substrate is received within said interiorchannel.
 17. The desk accessory device as recited in claim 11 whereinsaid opposing track members are structured and disposed to directsliding movement of the strip substrate about a directional path of saidinterior channel.